Tailgating ban would punish loyal fans

The proposed ban on alcohol in the parking lot of the Aloha Stadium (Star-Bulletin, Sept. 30) has one purpose -- to force everyone to purchase their drinks in the stadium so the concessionaire can make more money.

My family has been loyal season ticket-holding fans for 25-plus years, and we have always tailgated. I have not witnessed any incident in the parking lot while tailgating involving drunken fans.

If the Stadium Authority is sincere about protecting the fans, the ban must also apply within the stadium. Since problems are inside the stadium, that is where the concern about "control" must be addressed. During the Pro Bowl, we have encountered problems with fans going in and out to purchase alcoholic beverages, to the point where they are starting to spill their drinks on others. This makes for an uncomfortable and negative experience.

We have also attended university and NFL games on the mainland, and have not witnessed any problems with drinking while tailgating or within the stadiums. The fans there are even allowed to bring their own food and nonalcoholic beverages into the stadiums. Why that is not allowed in Hawaii can only be attributed to the fact that the concessionaire(s) want everyone purchasing their food and water from them. It's all about the money!

Diane Fuse
Mililani

How would tailgate ban protect fans inside?

Thank you to the Stadium Authority. I just had my laugh for the day. The three-member panel really believes that banning drinking at tailgate parties is going to protect the public from drunken fans. Do they really think they will be able to stop the drunks at the gate? I have this visual now of these long lines of drunks trying to walk the line. Are they going to paint a white line at the gates?

What kind of contract do we have with the alcohol vendors? How much money are we talking about here? Is a payoff now less than, equal to or more than the state would have to pay to settle a potential lawsuit filed by an innocent fan who gets trampled in a drunken brawl? Does the Stadium Authority think fans would get less drunk if forced to drink only while in the stadium?

Let's face it, a ban should start at the gate surrounding the stadium complex -- period!

Carol T. Chun
Honolulu

Too bad mayor can't see beauty of windmills

People elected our mayor in part for his vision. It's too bad he and others cannot see the beauty of windmills -- the beauty of their gracefulness in appearance and usefulness as an alternative energy resource ("Mayor rejects Kahe wind farm," Star-Bulletin, Sept. 27).

Perhaps he and others will change their minds when we have rolling blackouts at ever-increasing intervals. Then again, maybe not.

Sandra M. Barker
Honolulu

Nuclear energy would make us self-sufficient

Your Sept. 21 editorial about future energy needs and renewables was interesting but incomplete. We have successfully managed nuclear energy in this country for decades and, more importantly, hosted nuclear ships in Hawaii from the late 1950s. The island economy and environment are ideally suited for a nonfossil-fueled alternative, and nuclear is the best choice for several reasons:

» It is cleaner than any other source available and has negligible impact on the environment.
» The fuel is produced in the United States and has limited volatility based on world events.
» The small volume of waste could be safely transported to the mainland for permanent storage.
» Each island could have a plant that supplies its needs.
» There is a trained cadre of qualified, experienced personnel available from the ranks of the nuclear Navy to fill the operational and maintenance staff.

Renewables are a great option for a small percentage of the load but they will never replace the central station economics. The recent energy legislation just enacted has provided lots of new support for the nuclear option. Hawaii should take control of its own energy destiny and pursue this energy source.

Ted Verdery
Kapolei

Harbin might be better than most Democrats

I know Governor Lingle has done a really super job of finding and appointing excellent people to office. Who else could have found Rod Haraga for a really tough job in the Department of Transportation? So I'm confident that Beverly Harbin -- chosen by Lingle for the Legislature -- will do an excellent job.

I say let's give her a chance. Let's be open-minded and help her, rather than tearing her down. Sure, she's a Democrat and I'm a Republican, but I'm confident she won't be half bad for a Democrat. In fact, in some ways, she might be much better than all the other Democrats in the Legislature. Let's not be closed-minded simply because she had some economic reverses in the past. That could happen to any of us.

So watch what Rep. Harbin does. Give her a chance to be the excellent legislator that she might be, as an appointee of our fine governor.

Mark Terry
Honolulu

Special rights for some, inequality for others?

Will someone please convince me why it is politically correct for native Hawaiians to expect special, exclusive rights in the form of their own sovereign nation or passage of the race-based Akaka Bill, but it is anathema for Hawaii's gay and lesbian couples to expect EQUAL rights under American law in the form of civil marriage in the same state?

Dennis Triglia
Keaau, Hawaii

Divert some gas money to a bus pass

As a new month begins, now is the time for all of us to do one simple little thing that can help combat the high gas prices we suffer and the terrible traffic congestion. I urge all the readers of the Star-Bulletin to think about how much money you spend every month to put gas in your car just to get to work and come back home. I guarantee it is more than $40.

Do yourselves a favor: Invest $40 in a bus pass and ride the bus to work at least three days a week. Your investment will pay off in only 10 work days, so you will save money for sure. You will be lowering the demand for gas and helping the prices come down. You will be making a small dent in the traffic problem, and you can relax with a book or a nap instead of fighting with the other cars.

Jeffrey Tillson
Mililani

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